Courts on playing cards

Important note: I believe the
images shown here are in the public domain (because playing cards have
been around for so long, even in their present form…), so
you're free to copy them and use them to whatever purpose you see fit.
At least as far as I'm concerned, you're welcome to.
However, do not link to the images directly
on this server: rather, make your own copy of the file and
upload it where you will. I'm
saying this because I'm really annoyed with all the people linking to
these images on this server from their MySpace profile, avatars on
various webforums, etc.

Kings

Spades

Called “David” on the French deck, probably after the
biblical character. He holds a scepter in one hand, and a harp is
visible below it (confirming the biblical attribution). He faces
forward, a little to the left. On the English deck, he holds a sword.
He faces forward, a little to the right.

Hearts

Called “Charles” on the French deck, probably after
Charles the Great (Charlemagne) — or perhaps after French king
Charles VII. He holds a sword. He faces forward, a little to the
right. On the English deck, he also holds a sword (above his head),
and both his hands are visible. Unlike the other kings, he does not
have a mustache. He faces forward, a little to the left.

Diamonds

Called “César” on the French deck, probably after
Julius Cæsar. He has no distinguishing attribute, and no visible
hands. He faces right, and is seen in profile. On the English deck,
he has an axe behind him, and one hand sticking in front of him. He
faces left, and is seen in profile.

Clubs

Called “Alexandre” on the French deck, probably after
Alexander the Great. He holds a scepter in one hand, with a
shield (?) just below it. He faces forward, a little to the right.
On the English deck, he holds a sword in his hand, with an imperial
orb just beside it (seemingly floating in air). He faces forward, a
little to the left.

Queens

Spades

Called “Pallas” on the French deck, possibly after the
Greek goddess Athena. She faces left, and is seen in profile. On the
English deck, she is the only queen with a scepter. She faces
forward, a little to the right.

Hearts

Called “Judith” on the French deck, probably after the
biblical character (or perhaps after Judith of Bavaria). She faces
forward, a little to the left. On the English deck, she also faces
forward, a little to the left (she is not reversed with
respect to the French deck).

Diamonds

Called “Rachel” on the French deck, possibly after the
biblical character. She faces forward, a little to the right. On the
English deck, she faces forward, a little to the left.

Clubs

Called “Argine” on the French deck, an anagram of latin
“regina” (“queen”); some have suggested that
the name may (also) be related to the Greek Argos. She is the only
queen not holding a flower. She faces forward, a little to the right.
On the English deck, she does hold a flower like the other queens.
She faces forward, a little to the left.

Jacks (knaves)

Spades

Called “Hogier” on the French deck: origin is
uncertain, but perhaps after Ogier the Dane from the Song of
Rolland. He has a feather in his hat. He faces forward, a
little to the right. On the English deck, he holds an unidentifiable
object (initially a spear). He has a mustache. He faces right, and
is seen in profile.

Hearts

Called “Lahire” on the French deck: origin is
uncertain, but may refer to Étienne “La Hire” de
Vignolles, companion of arms to Joan of Arc. He faces forward, a
little to the left, and his face is a little slanted to the left. On
the English deck, he also holds a leaf, and has an axe behind his
head. He has a mustache. He faces left, and is seen in
profile.

Diamonds

Called “Hector” on the French deck, possibly
not after the Trojan hero, but perhaps after a companion
(brother?) of Lancelot. He faces right, and is seen in profile. On
the English deck, he holds a sword. He faces forward, a little to the
left.

Clubs

Called “Lancelot” on the French deck, probably after
the Arthurian hero. He holds a shield (?) attached to a string. He
faces forward, a little to the left. On the English deck, he holds an
unreadable object (originally an arrow). There is a feather sticking
from his hat. He faces forward, a little to the right.